Christian Prayer Thread for Winter - all welcome!

Roomforalittleone - That the house sale continues speedily and completes asap and that God would provide for them and help them make ends meet financially. For her sickness to ease in her pregnancy. And for her friend who has sadly lost a baby, who was sleeping.BabyBeatrice- who has been diagnosed with cancer at only 14 months, Mum is a long term MNer who has name changed. Prayers that God would surround the family at this time and heal her DD.Blackeyedsusan- for good health, for energy, for her two children as she struggles to get them support at School and for her Mum. For more support at Church and to not feel isolated or lonely.Jan- For peace, for her DD to sleep better, for her to be able to put firm boundaries in place and that her H would reach acceptance and peace about the situation and learn to respect her, so they can reach a place of good co parenting. That God would help her as she begins to investigate divorce and proceed. And that the meeting goes well with her parents and in laws and that a line would be drawn in the sand.MHD-for her body and lungs to recover from the pneumonia fully and completely and her lungs to strengthen, so that she doesn't relapse at all but enjoys this festive season with her family.amberlight-For her family to recover from the norovirus and for peace and reconciliation with an old friend.MrsRhettButler- for her friends Mum who is very ill in hospital with a 5% chance of survival and young children.HaveALittleFaith -for her energy as she grows this baby.Cloutiedumpling- that her DD settles into nursery for her return to work and adjusts to bottles/ cups.LewisFan- Her Nan has passed away, prayers for her family.CharlotteCollinsislost-Prayers for her as she makes big decisions about her future as she plans to separate.Positiveattitude-for her DD over Christmas, as her Mum is so far away. For home sickness to ease with PA and DS. That her children back home get support from PA's old Church and the heating is fixed asap. And that the organisation trace the money and PA then has the funds she needs whilst they serve God out there.Kaykat- Prayers for her in her difficult marriage, for protection, peace and for God to help her and surround her with people, so she can end things, have a safe home and for her DS.LiftUpYourGingerHeadsOYeCurls-for her as she does her thesis, for energy, concentration, clarity, ability to see the connections as well as the bigger picture AND be able to express it in writing.Dontsteponthemomeraths - Prayers especially for her lovely man (LM) as the court case heads to High Court, there have been so many delays but it should get there in January. That God would make a way, where there is no way, help him to afford the court fees and that he will finally have the closure; contact with his children and a maintenance agreement in place that is fair to him, his ex wife and to the children. For justice. It's 6 years since divorce due to her infidelity and it is so hard for him. The children and ex wife live in another Country and the legal system there is very different. Prayers that he has freedom from his past and doesn't live in it anymore but breaks free and moves forward in all God has for him.And for my brother, that his thumb heals fully and that with the rehabilitation he regains movement and use and that his nerves and feelings across the top of his hand come back. The outlook is not positive currently.

We've been away for the weekend. DH has finally felt ready to introduce me to my in-laws! Some of it was about convenience but mostly the issue lay with him being estranged from him Mum. They are now back on speaking terms so we travelled to Devon (no short journey from here!) to see them. I've now met his grandparents, mum, step dad, uncle, aunt, two cousins, cousin's wife and cousin's BF! Generally got on well with them, especially his cousin's wife (and he is very similar to his cousin) which was great. His Mum is..quite something. I'm no psychiatrist but I wonder if she had borderline personality disorder. She's very all or nothing, extremely intense, very dramatic relationships! Give her her due, she tried really hard this weekend and is excited about the baby. Prayers that she can continue to try without getting too intense and that we can handle her gently/appropriately would be appreciated!

tooth ache much improved, though still a little reluctant to chew on that side...

mum is home. and doing ok so far. i am still mobile despite shifting huge pieces of furniture/carpets

i am trying to decide whether to e mail the head about something... need wisdom. also trying to contact various people about ds and his diagnosis.

mhd... glad to hear you are a bit better. all you have to do re the ministy is do your best... the results are not up to you they are up to the one in charge. I have head it said so many times in the past that the pioneers saw no results in a particular situation, but the next person, or the one after that saw the harvest from the unseen work put in before. keep on keeping on and prayers for some encouragement.

I know not everyone is keen on prayers for those who have died (as opposed to prayers for those who remain) but if any prayers can be offered for the memory of King Richard III, today would be a good day to remember him. Thank you.

Maybe you will find that when you have spent all your resources MHD that there is just a tiny bit left for the next day. And so you never quite run out.God's resources are endless, but we can't hold any in reserve.

Morning everyone, so good to hear about the uplifting services etc yesterday

Praying for a good week for you all.

Mary, how are you? You're a bit quiet. And Blue?

I'm doing much better - have more strength back. Occasional twinges round ribs but much healed. Still feeling fairly low re ministry though, it seems like suhc a huge task and we just dont have the resources.

Some really encouraging posts on here today. It is so good that we can pray for one another and share what God is doing and how he is answering these prayers.

Tuo - I didn't want to say anything but I am certainly having trouble loading the page in and it often takes a few attempts, but don't do it just for me as my internet is just not that good here. If everyone else is fine, I will just cope.

I went to an evening service and found it very uplifting. As soon as i walked in i got an overwhelming sense of how far ive come since the summer and i got quite a joyful feeling. There were a few people I know but the only person I got into conversation with has been through exactly what I've been through.

I've just watched it, MDH. They did really, really well and seem such lovely people. Actually, I found the whole programme really inspiring. The story about the figure in the car gave me goosebumps.

Anyway, came back from a lovely evening service a little while ago. The sermon really surprised me. It seemed to address something that I was not really aware that it had been troubling me and certainly not in the way it was presented in the sermon. I realise I'm not expressing myself very well, but I came away feeling very encouraged.

Giving thanks for answered prayers and praying for all those in need, whether physically, spiritually or mentally. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

Sounds like an answer to prayer, PA. I'm pleased it looks as if this is going to work out for you and for DD1.

I know that once we get close to 500 posts it gets hard for some people to load the thread, so will start a new one in the next week or so when I get a moment. (It won't be today, though... [surveys pile of essays]!)

Waiting - Sometimes life just does not make any sense at all and I can see exactly why you are struggling so much now. I could not think of a single person that would not be struggling, so don't be hard on yourself. Prayers that God will hold you and let Himself been seen by you.

Oh dear, internet not good and keep cutting in and out, so I will not scroll anymore. I have read through and prayed. Thanks to TUO for your lovely posts, I find them very useful while my internet doesnt behave - i seem to get all the basic info I need for everyone, so thank you.

<can I tell you a secret? > I think DD1 is going to come and join us for a while here. <<<squeal>>> Just had a long chat with her and it looks like she will be coming over for 3 months before we head back together in the summer. Please pray with me that this time will refresh her, renew her and revitalise her, but above all I pray that being away from her friends and her life in the UK will give her an opportunity to seek God and find Him. Lots to plan and sort out yet, but it definitely looks to be heading that way.

Waitingtobeamummy there's a book by Philip Yancey called Where is God When it Hurts.

Also HTB runs a course in London for married couples going through bereavement and also unable to conceive/ have a baby. I'm not sure where you live but perhaps when you're stronger you can look into courses like that?

I certainly found the divorce course I went to helped; to be surrounded by people who understood what I was going through, were going through the same and had the same questions and I formed lasting friendships from it.

I know your situation is different but perhaps that would be helpful, to look into a course like that at a Church, so you can ask those tough questions in a safe environment with people who have been through the same x

Hello all. Sorry for the long silence: have just been buried in work this week. I'd appreciate 'getting things done' prayers, as I'm really struggling with my workload at the moment. Nice to see some new faces while I've been away...

Waiting - I saw your other thread and am glad you have posted here. I am so sorry that you are in such a sad situation, and I wish I had words of wisdom that might help, but can only offer my prayers for your situation... I was going to pray that you find a way back to God, but I truly believe that He's with you even in these dark times, so I think that 'finding the way back' is probably the wrong metaphor - maybe it's more about finding ways of seeing Him even in your pain? I was agnostic for many years, and although I hadn't been through the difficult situations that you have, I do recognise very well that feeling of wanting to believe but feeling that the 'leap of faith' needed is just too great. You will be in my prayers.

Teahouse - praying that you managed to have the catheter removed and that you are doing OK. Come back and fill us in!

Jayne - Welcome.

PA - Praying for your DD1, for you and her to make the right decision about her immediate future, for her sake and for your peace of mind too.

Jan - I'm sorry that you are finding things so tough at the moment, and I pray that they take a turn for the better soon. Also praying for your poor friend - how dreadful.

Kay - Praying that you have a good church experience today. As Jan says, it's OK to cry - you've been through some terrible times - and no-one will judge you for that. Praying for your DS, too, that he have the confidence and discernment not to be swayed by anything that his dad may tell him, and to be secure in your love for him.

Room - Praying for your house sale to go through smoothly.

BES - Praying for an end to toothache.

Amber - Praying for you in that difficult situation - I'm so sorry that you have to deal with such nastiness.

Ginger - Thanking God for a potential solution to the thesis crisis and praying that you find the peace (in yourself and in your surroundings) that you need to study and write.

And continued prayers for health for MHD, for Bob, and for baby Beatrice. And prayers for all who need them, posters, lurkers and those known to us personally. (And apologies to anyone I've forgotten.)

Hi all, i am sorry to jump on your thread, i posted this as a new thread on spirituality but i was told you lovely people might be able to help. i have just cut and pasted somapologies again if i am in thevwrong place. I have been in the situation I am for the past 6months I think although it did happen gradually. My mom is a devout catholic and my dad is an athuest. My moms family are very religious but I was allowed to form ny own opinions/didn't go to religious schools etc. I grew up very spiritual, strong belief in god, not a strict religion as such but I believed in heaven etc.

Over the past 6 months though I feel my spirituality has gone. I'm infertile, having fertility treatment but nothings happening. My friend had twins through ivf and they both just died suddenly. My best friends husband has a terminal brain tumour. My dad is crippled.

I've had wobbles before but I cannot believe that a loving god would let this happy. I have explored the benevolent god theory, free will etc but I cannot believe in it.

I desperately want to have my faith back, I cannot see a life with no belief but I am struggling to be able too. Any ideas what I can do/read etc to help myself?